The UK Chamber of Shipping is the trade association and voice of the UK shipping industry, representing around 200 member companies. They work with Government, parliament, international organisations and others to champion and protect the industry on behalf of their members.
They are one of the principal members of the International Chamber of Shipping.[1] Their headquarters are in Park Street, London. The Chamber promotes UK shipping around the world and often acts a source of maritime knowledge to the media.
The body is also responsible for working closely with the UK government, Maritime UK and Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
The official publisher of the UK Chamber of Shipping is Witherby Seamanship.[2] The Merchant Navy Training Board is based at the UK Chamber's offices in London.[3]
History
The Chamber has its origins in 1878 when a national trade body for shipping was formed. The Chamber was granted a Royal Charter in 1920 and went through several names, being known as the General Council of British Shipping until 1992 when its current name was adopted.[4]
Sarah Treseder, a former Chief Executive of the Royal Yachting Association served as Chief executive of the Chamber between 2021 and 2024, having replaced Bob Sanguinetti.[5][6] In April 2024, Rear Admiral Rhett Hatcher, former UK national hydrographer and deputy chief executive at the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office became chief executive.[7]
Presidents
- 1881: Edward Stock Hill[8]
- 1899: Honourable James Cleland Burns, Cunard Line (later Baron Inverclyde)[9]
- 1900: William James Pirrie, Chairman of Harland and Wolff (later Viscount Pirrie)[9]
- 1902: Colonel Robert Ropner, Ropner Shipping Company[10]
- 2013: Helen Deeble.[11]
- 2014: Kenneth MacLeod, Chairman of the British division of Stena Line[12]
- 2016 Grahaeme Henderson.[13]
- 2018 Sir Michael Bibby
- 2020 John Denholm
- 2022 Graham Westgarth
Events
The UK Chamber hosts an annual maritime gala dinner at the JW Marriott Grosvenor Hotel in London.[14]